Willis Kukes

It is with great sadness the family of Willis (Will-Willy) Kukes announces his unexpected passing at the age of 82 one day after returning from a successful elk hunting trip. Will was born on July 24, 1941, in Billings, MT to Andrew and Leah Bender Kukes. He spent his early childhood years until his senior year of high school in Hardin, MT before ultimately graduating from high school in Lewistown, MT in 1960. He attended Eastern Montana College (MSU-Billings), joined the U.S. Army in 1963, and was honorably discharged on April 22, 1966. His early career years were spent as a lineman, an insurance adjuster, a salesman for Morrell Meat Co., a journeyman butcher at Pierce Packing, a glazier for Michotte Glass, and a proprietor of Rodas Dry Cleaners before finishing out his career at Billings School District #2 as a glazier.

On June 25, 1976, he married Bonnie Plummer Kukes in Billings, MT, and lived out the rest of his life in Billings, MT. After retirement, Willis followed his dream of restoring three 1966 classic Pontiac cars; a Lemans, a Tempest convertible, and his prize, a red 1966 GTO. Will was a larger-than-life kind of guy. His passions were hunting, fishing, training his hunting dogs, jet boating, motorcycles, watching sports, maintaining an impeccable yard, and helping his friends, neighbors, and relatives with anything. He loved to stay busy and was a jack of all trades, outstanding in all of them. He was never too busy to help no matter what else he had going on and loved to visit.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Bonnie, son Ryan, sister Virginia (Ginnie) Sindelar, sister, and brothers-in-law; Colleen (Leo) Brockel, Debbie Jensen, Boyd (Susan) Plummer, and Delores Robeling; nieces and nephews, Jason (Cristy) Brockel, Darren (Kathy) Brockel, Jen (Dey) Obrigewitch, Carrie (Kim) Gray, Diana Kukes Perkins, Marilyn (Lyle) Dorn, Andy (Gayla) Kukes, and Leeroy Kukes; cousins, Robert (Donna) Kukes, and Wilbur Kukes. He was preceded in death by his parents; Andy and Leah Kukes, his brother; Orlie Leroy Kukes, his father and mother-in-law, Francis (Gus) and Marjory Plummer, his brothers-in-law; Charles (Fritz) Jensen, Barry Plummer, his nephew Tyler Barry Plummer, and his beloved Labrador hunting dogs; Archie, Bones and Sugar. Cremation has taken place, per his wishes, and a memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 12th, at 1:00 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave Billings, MT. Cremains will be interred with military honors at Sunset Memorial Gardens and spread at his favorite places; the Beartooth Mountains (Cooke City) and hunting spots - Big Horn River and Missouri Breaks. May he rest in peace, Forever in our Hearts. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, the family appreciates donations in Will's memory to Montana Rescue Mission, 2902 Minnesota Avenue, Billings, MT 59101, and Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, 1735 Monad Road, Billings, MT 59101. We welcome everyone who wishes to drive their classic cars in the funeral procession, You can contact John Dahl at (406) 855-3146 for further details.